Challenge: A "Socialism vs Communism" Cold War

[Aelita]

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to provide a scenario in which the ideological posturing of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II is, instead of a capitalism vs. communism dynamic, a ideological conflict between moderate, reformist "socialism" versus authoritarian Soviet style "communism".

Ideally, the POD should be after the Great Depression.

 

[LendleAlba]

Create a revolution in the US which institutes libertarian socialism, then have things proceed similarily to OTL.

There, done.

 

[LHB]

Wallace stays on as Roosevelt's VP and FDR lives long enough to pass the Second Bill of Rights. Following Roosevelt's death Wallace assumes the Presidency and wins re-election in 1948. Ike chooses not to run in '52 leading to the GOP's dissolution and the rise of a new political consensus which embraces democratic socialism as an effective bulwark against Soviet-style authoritarian communism. This consensus is solidified when the US throws its support behind Mossadegh's nationalization of Iranian oil resources, setting the tone for American foreign policy support of reformist left-leaning parties as a counter to Soviet support of Communist revolutionaries.

 

[SpanishSpy]

Wallace stays on as Roosevelt's VP and FDR lives long enough to pass the Second Bill of Rights. Following Roosevelt's death Wallace assumes the Presidency and wins re-election in 1948. Ike chooses not to run in '52 leading to the GOP's dissolution and the rise of a new political consensus which embraces democratic socialism as an effective bulwark against Soviet-style authoritarian communism. This consensus is solidified when the US throws its support behind Mossadegh's nationalization of Iranian oil resources, setting the tone for American foreign policy support of reformist left-leaning parties as a counter to Soviet support of Communist revolutionaries.

Given this, one could see more conservative nations, mostly European, forming the nexus of this timelines Non-Aligned movement. A worst-case scenario would be a rise of far-right wiping governments that despise both ideologies.

 

[stefanbl]

Given this, one could see more conservative nations, mostly European, forming the nexus of this timelines Non-Aligned movement. A worst-case scenario would be a rise of far-right wiping governments that despise both ideologies.

Easily prevented with the right kind of Marshall* Plan.

 

[xie323]

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to provide a scenario in which the ideological posturing of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II is, instead of a capitalism vs. communism dynamic, a ideological conflict between moderate, reformist "socialism" versus authoritarian Soviet style "communism".

Ideally, the POD should be after the Great Depression.

Either your TL which has a democratic style Communism, or......

Wallace succeeds and passes second bill of rights, and US becomes more accepting of socialism and have some event that makes it clear Stalin starts the cold war and "refuses" whatever olive branch Wallace presents to maintain his intrests. Have some event that forces a "reverse Regan" on the right that makes them go to the center on many issues and become third way. Also butterfly away the HUAC hearings. Also have the US involvement in the Iran coup butterflied away and the US actually support populist movements in Latin America as well as North Vietnam. I actually believe that Latin America and South Korea might actually democratize earlier with US support of populism. Also the US might actually support the student uprisings in France if it happens.

Result is more European countries may lean torwards NAM if it forms, and the second/third world members of NAM will have degree of sympathy for the USA. If US still supports Israel and it never shifts rightward, I can see the Arab Nationalists actually shifting rightwards towards forms of Wahhabism.

 

[TNF]

New Dealers continue leading the country after World War II.

It might not be socialism, but it sure is social democracy lite. If Truman's Fair Deal passes or FDR or Wallace get most of the Second Bill of Rights passed, the United States of the late 1940s is in all actuality to the left of Sweden today, with guaranteed jobs and legally mandated full employment policies with universal health insurance and TVA authorities as far as the eye can see.

Basically, what I think you have to have to make this plausible is to avoid FDR's disastrous second term. Let's say that he meets with his Keynesian advisers first, they convince him not to cut spending and to continue priming the pump. And let's say that he avoids the Court Packing stuff, too. That means a lot. If the economy continues to recover and there are mass strike waves that align to bring the New Deal's policy goals to bear, the progressive majority in Congress isn't undone in 1938's Congressional elections.

That portends massive butterflies in and of itself. A stronger progressive majority in Congress means that the Republicans might end up nominating someone even to Willkie's left in 1940 and to Tom Dewey's in 1944 and 1948. So long as you can keep the momentum of reform with the progressives, stop Taft-Hartley, and keep expanding the state, you can make this work. It just requires different leadership in the postwar period.

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under
the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist
program..." - Norman Thomas